Share this post

Link to post

Share on other sites

I really enjoyed the article. Everyone who I recommended it to (who actually read it) also enjoyed.

Some points I really liked:

Singlets- No need to debate, but yeah.

Conference finals- I didnt agree at first, but the more I thought about it the more I'm on board. There can be spectacle and ceremony for the consolation finals, they deserve it and they're awesome- but a conference championship deserves its own stage.

Share this post

Link to post

Share on other sites

I too, liked the fresh perspective. No singlets = no brainer. Increasing the spectacle/entertainment value of the sport in general/finals in particular is something I've been advocating for a long time. We are competing with every other recreational/entertainment minute there is, and we have to put out a better product if we want to grow the sport. That doesn't have to mean tweaking the rules constantly (although that can be part of it). 10 years ago we had an announcer at Mizzou duals who did announcing for multiple sports for the uni, didn't know the wrestlers names, knew next to nothing about the sport, and there was never lights/smoke/fireworks/music/videos/etc. We changed all that to improve the "show". It matters.

Share this post

Link to post

Share on other sites

I've felt the same way. When I do, I take a moment to remember these are not pros getting paid to perform for my entertainment, but hard-working students who deserve to be recognized for their achievements by the whole crowd, not just friends/family who stick around after the event is over.

Share this post

Link to post

Share on other sites

I've felt the same way. When I do, I take a moment to remember these are not pros getting paid to perform for my entertainment, but hard-working students who deserve to be recognized for their achievements by the whole crowd, not just friends/family who stick around after the event is over.

In my view, it's not really for the wrestlers. I think if you polled the competitors, most would just as soon eliminate the whole podium process altogether.

Share this post

Link to post

Share on other sites

Wrestling consolation finals next to a finals match is about the dumbest thing ever so couldn't agree more with the author. Now everybody does it except the National finals. It really is awful.

And for the most part (other than maybe MSG) Session 5 is pretty much empty. And I've heard some coaches suggest that it seems to help make the finals higher scoring affairs than when left out by themselves.

Share this post

Link to post

Share on other sites

If we listened to wrestling coaches the sport would be extinct. Most have no clue how to market and promote. Too busy chewing their knuckles or pretending they're still wrestling...down in a crouch like Pritzlaff and T. Brands.

Share this post

Link to post

Share on other sites

1. The author was surprised that (most) wrestlers only wear singlets for a tiny sliver of time, and that they don't practice, warm-up, or walk around in them. He also noticed how both athletes and fans just sort of reluctantly accepted the singlet, like it's kind of an elephant in the room. Pretty obvious sign that it's time for a change.

2. The author was taken back by the athleticism of wrestlers. Like I literally almost fell out of my chair when Paxton said his impression going in was that wrestling was full of "relatively unimpressive athletes". WTAF, I thought everyone knew wrestling is the toughest sport by far and therefore have the toughest, most well-rounded athletes. His statement was a big eye opener for me.

Share this post

Link to post

Share on other sites

Not college related but when I was helping run JR High and High School tournaments we were treating them as fund raisers. I know a lot of people don't like that but is is reality. I would not have ever run one otherwise because it sucks.

Because of that I always did 2 things. Have the consolation finals at the same time and the championship finals and have the awards at the end. It keeps people in the gym longer and we made more money.

Share this post

Link to post

Share on other sites

Not college related but when I was helping run JR High and High School tournaments we were treating them as fund raisers. I know a lot of people don't like that but is is reality. I would not have ever run one otherwise because it sucks.

Because of that I always did 2 things. Have the consolation finals at the same time and the championship finals and have the awards at the end. It keeps people in the gym longer and we made more money.

I agree with doing this at those the kid levels and in season tournaments. However, THE CHAMPIONSHIPS?!? For the premier wrestling conference in the country? Ridiculous. Even the BIG TEN and NCAA Semifinals should have only two mats going. Get that side wrestle-back stuff out of here when the main event is ongoing.

Share this post

Link to post

Share on other sites

2. The author was taken back by the athleticism of wrestlers. Like I literally almost fell out of my chair when Paxton said his impression going in was that wrestling was full of "relatively unimpressive athletes". WTAF, I thought everyone knew wrestling is the toughest sport by far and therefore have the toughest, most well-rounded athletes. His statement was a big eye opener for me.

I think that's actually a pretty common perception just based on the structure of high school teams. Since almost no wrestling teams have "tryouts" and we'll let virtually anyone wrestle JV, some portion of every high school squad is made up of wildly unathletic kids. If you'd never been exposed to high-level wrestling I could see why you'd have that view.

I also do think other sports respect wrestling as one of, if not the, toughest sports. They just don't quite understand the athleticism and skillset required to be elite.

Share this post

Link to post

Share on other sites

Yes it's tough, very tough but for the most part wrestlers are not natural athletes. Most of the little guys (150 and less) haven't played other sports.

I know lots of really really small guys in wrestling that tried their hand at football, probably for too long. Recruited a 126 lber once who was the leading tackler on his state championship football team(large class).

Share this post

Link to post

Share on other sites

I strongly agree with the comment about wrestling place bouts next to the finals. The EIWA made this change a few years ago and I hated it. I enjoy watching the finals match but if my team's guy is wrestling for 3rd or 5th I'm paying zero attention to the finals. And I enjoy watching the finals. Get the placement bouts done earlier!